DECA Community Blog | Neighborhood Updates

DECA Blog - Neighborhood News

In late January, the DECA Board passed the resolution linked below expressing community support for trees to be planted in Chamblee, GA to replace the trees recently cut down during PDK airport construction. The resolution has been sent to the Chamblee Mayor and Council, PDK Airport and our DeKalb Commissioners, Jeff Rader and Kathie Gannon.

The resolution reads as follows:

A RESOLUTION, expressing community support for the replacement of trees in Chamblee, Georgia to replace the number of trees cut down during recent construction, including runway and hangar expansion, in 2017 and 2018 at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport.

WHEREAS, DECA is a non-profit Civic Association created to preserve and enhance eight neighborhoods comprised of approximately 1,200 homes in Chamblee. We are guided in our work by overall community interests dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for residents in the DECA neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

WHEREAS, Dekalb-Peachtree Airport is located in Chamblee adjacent to DECA’s geographical boundaries.

WHEREAS, one of DECA’s objectives in its bylaws is, “to ensure that the area is preserved principally for quality residential use and to oppose the intrusion of elements that adversely affect the quality of our communities in terms of appearance, safety, property value, and overall atmosphere.”

WHEREAS, DECA believes that trees of similar size, type, and number to those lost should be planted in Chamblee to replace the trees removed from airport grounds during recent construction. The construction and expansion, including a new runway and hangars, will lead to increased air traffic. Therefore, air and noise pollution will also increase. As trees and other foliage are a natural counterpoint to these types of pollution, Chamblee needs the replacement of these natural resources to protect the appearance, safety, property value, and overall atmosphere of the city.

THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED that on January 30th, 2018, the DECA Board of Directors voted to support the efforts of the City of Chamblee, Georgia and other interested parties to ensure that the number of trees removed by recent construction and expansion at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport are restored in Chamblee.

The Chamblee Connect app can be used to report traffic violations from your mobile device. If you haven't downloaded the app yet, here's how. Once you've installed the app on your device, you can submit a request. The following steps for submitting a traffic violation via the app are courtesy of Chamblee City Councilman, John Mesa.

Your neighbors and Dresden East Civic Association are raising money for our 4th annual Holiday for Heroes. We will provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for firefighters located at the Clairmont, Dresden, PDK and Mercer stations along with the Chamblee and Doraville police officers, (approximately 80 people). We will also provide special treats for the police K9’s.

“This is the least we can do for those who dedicate their lives each day and night for the betterment of our communities. They protect us from harm unseen and unheard. Our servicemen and women are the true definition of Heroes. " — Christopher Lee, DECA President

Our target amount is $1,200 to cover costs. This will be in addition to any donations provided by local food markets. The deadline is November 19 to allow adequate preparation for delivery. Please click on the link below to donate. Please also share with your neighbors.

DECA will use any leftover funds for next year's Holiday for Heroes, or for other charitable uses determined by the DECA board.

Want to learn what the Georgia Department of Transit (GDOT) is doing to address traffic congestion in the Dresden East/Clairmont Road area? Specifically traffic in/around Clairmont Road and I-85, and throughout Chamblee? Come to the DECA Quarterly membership meeting.

Want to hear a presentation from the DeKalb Fire & Rescue Hazmat team regarding their emergency response capabilities for the AGL gas regulator station located near Clairmont Road and Buford Highway? Come to the DECA Quarterly membership meeting.

On Thursday, February 4, 2016 DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to transfer Dresden Park to the City of Chamblee.

The DeKalb County Commission approved the IGA in December 2015, and the agreement transfers the 25 acre park to Chamblee at no cost.

The IGA includes three stipulations which are that:

Chamblee cannot sell the park

Chamblee must always keep it as a park

Residents of unincorporated DeKalb are allowed to use the park the same as City residents and at the same cost, if any.

Dresden Park is located in the southeast area of Chamblee which was annexed into the City in 2013. The City has been negotiating the transfer with the county since the annexation.

The City awarded a contract for the development of a Parks and Recreation Master Plan late last year to guide decision-making in the areas of park operations, maintenance, and capital improvements over the next 10 years. The transfer of Dresden Park to the City was contemplated and it is included in the scope of the master plan.

Neighbors, friends and supporters of Chamblee area first-responders raised more than $1500 during the second annual Heroes Holiday Fund campaign sponsored by the Dresden East Civic Association (DECA).

In partnership with the Publix at Town Brookhaven, this money will be used to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for the four fire stations that cover the DECA area, including Station 2 on Dresden Drive, Station 8 on Clairmont Road, Station 15 at PDK Airport, and Station 19 at Mercer University. In addition, meals will be provided for the Chamblee Police and the Doraville Police that also provide support to Chamblee.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day is the peak time for cooking-related fires in homes followed closely by Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Unattended cooking was the leading contributor to these fires so it’s important to be attentive in the kitchen with all the activity during the holiday season. Unfortunately, this means the men and women of the fire department have to sacrifice time with their family to keep us safe.

This is why Charlotte-ann Rogers originally launched the fundraiser last year – the police and firefighters must work to keep us safe so we want to ensure they get the meal they deserve. Although the effort was lead by DECA, donations came from many other Chamblee neighborhoods including Huntley Hills and Clairmont Terrace. “This was truly a community effort and we are very grateful for all the donations – whether it was $5 or $50,” said Ms. Rogers. Neighbors even stepped up on Facebook to issue matching challenges to help boost the donations.

Please consider getting involved in helping run the organization - DECA needs you. It's not too late to nominate yourself or someone else; you can make nominations at DECA's next quarterly meeting on Wednesday, October 21st, at 7 pm.

Mark your calendar (May 22nd, July 4th, July 24, August 28) for the Chamblee Summer Concert Series in downtown Chamblee. This concert series will offer a fun filled event for the whole family. Bring out your blankets and lawn chairs, or reserve one of our VIP Tables (downtown concerts only) to enjoy an evening of good music in Chamblee’s downtown. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Concert goers may also bring their own food and beverages (excluding alcohol) if desired. For the Peachtree Park shows, a shuttle will be available from Chamblee Plaza to Peachtree Park before and after the show!

May 22nd - China Grove - China Grove is a top-shelf Doobie Brothers tribute band from the Tampa Bay area, whose repertoire spans the many decades and styles of the legendary California group. From the jammin’ rock of “Long Train Runnin” to the jazzy “Takin’ it to the Streets”, and the bluesy “Dark Eyed Cajun Woman” to the Grammy award winning pop of “What a Fool Believes”, this group blazes through a sizzling set of memory-jarring classic hits and album cuts with stunning accuracy and passion. Let’s just say these guys “bring it”!

July 4th - Rupert's Orchestra - The Rupert’s Orchestra became nationally known for their exciting performances at Rupert’s Nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia. For over eight years they played to packed houses and were voted Atlanta’s best house band every year. They have since become the top party band in the Southeast. The band is comprised of some of the finest talent from around the nation. At the core of the group is a driving rhythm section accented by a fiery horn section, and an explosive Latin percussionist. Fronting the band are four of the hottest vocalists around, each with a unique sound, performing both lead and background vocals.

July 24th - Drivin' N Cryin'- With a gold album in 1991, Drivin' N Cryin' and hit songs such as “Honeysuckle Blue” and “Straight To Hell”, this show is sure to be a night to remember in Chamblee!

In 1991 the more hard-rocking Fly Me Courageous ended up being the band's most commercially successful album, with the album being certified gold. The next few years the band toured with artists such as Neil Young and Soul Asylum. In 1993, DNC released another album produced by Geoff Workman, entitled Smoke, which peaked at No. 95 on the Billboard’s Top 200 album chart.

August 28th - Ricochet - In 1996 the members of country super group Ricochet watched their debut single, “What Do I Know”, rise to the Top 5 earning the band the honor of the highest charting debut single of the year. The follow up single release, “Daddy’s Money”, became an immediate across the board hit, rising to #1 on the Radio & Records Country Singles Chart, the Gavin Country Singles Chart and the Billboard Country Singles Chart (where it stayed #1 for two consecutive weeks). The band’s distinctive musical style and intricate harmonies earned them the recognition as one of the most popular vocal groups in country music, a mantle they still wear today. Now, more than fifteen years later, “The Hardest Working Band In Country Music” is still going strong.

The city of Chamblee will be hosting their 2015 Fourth of July event at Keswick Park on Saturday, July 4th. This event is full of fun for the entire family and includes one of the best fireworks shows around. There will be live music, food and activities for the family.

Event Details:

Date: July 4, 2015

Location: Keswick Park - Chamblee, GA. 30341

Time: 5PM - 10PM

2015 Event Schedule

(5:00) Kids' Bike Parade - Route begins at Chamblee Middle School and ends at Keswick Park(5:00) Food Vendors Open - enjoy Mad Italian, Chamos Grill, Chick-Fil-A, Frosty Caboose or something from the Parks & Recreation grill!(5:00-7:30) - Kid activities including train rides, bouncy houses, and more!(5:30) Corn Hole Tournament - Register online for your 2-person team to compete to win a V.I.P. table at the next Chamblee concert of your choice. This is a FREE tournament!(6:00) Live Music! - Our opening act will be Rockaholics followed by Rupert's Orchestra at 7:00(9:30) Fireworks!